Magnesium Transfer between Atomic Force Microscopy Probes and Metal Electrodes in Aqueous Alginate Electrolytes.

The upcoming energy transition requires not only renewable energy sources but also novel electricity storage systems such as batteries. Despite Li-ion batteries being the main storage systems, other batteries have been proposed to fulfil the requirements on safety, costs, and resource availability. Moving away from lithium, materials such as sodium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium are being considered.

Membrane-based microfluidic solvent extraction of Ga-68 from aqueous Zn solutions: towards an automated cyclotron production loop.

Background: The radionuclide Ga-68 is commonly used in nuclear medicine, specifically in positron emission tomography (PET). Recently, the interest in producing Ga-68 by cyclotron irradiation of [Zn]Zn nitrate liquid targets is increasing. However, current purification methods of Ga-68 from the target solution consist of multi-step procedures, thus, leading to a significant loss of activity through natural decay.

Multi-echo gradient echo pulse sequences: which is best for PRFS MR thermometry guided hyperthermia?

Purpose: MR thermometry (MRT) enables noninvasive temperature monitoring during hyperthermia treatments. MRT is already clinically applied for hyperthermia treatments in the abdomen and extremities, and devices for the head are under development. In order to optimally exploit MRT in all anatomical regions, the best sequence setup and post-processing must be selected, and the accuracy needs to be demonstrated.

Using MRI to measure position and anatomy changes and assess their impact on the accuracy of hyperthermia treatment planning for cervical cancer.

Purpose: We studied the differences between planning and treatment position, their impact on the accuracy of hyperthermia treatment planning (HTP) predictions, and the relevance of including true treatment anatomy and position in HTP based on magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Materials And Methods: All volunteers were scanned with an MR-compatible hyperthermia device, including a filled waterbolus, to replicate the treatment setup. In the planning setup, the volunteers were scanned without the device to reproduce the imaging in the current HTP.

BLOSM: Boron-based large-scale observation of soil moisture: First laboratory results of a cost-efficient neutron detector.

A newly developed Boron-based Large-scale Observation of Soil Moisture (or BLOSM) system is currently being tested and implemented. The stationary system provides a cost-effective way to measure fast and thermalized neutrons by using low-cost, non-hazardous and accessible materials and equipment. BLOSM operates by measuring cosmic-ray induced neutrons and by comparing the amount of fast neutrons with the amount of thermal neutrons.

Room temperature synthesis of perylene diimides facilitated by high amic acid solubility.

A novel protocol for the synthesis of perylene diimides (PDIs), by reacting perylene dianhydride (PDA) with aliphatic amines is reported. Full conversions were obtained at temperatures between 20 and 60 °C, using DBU as the base in DMF or DMSO. A "green" synthesis of PDIs, that runs at higher temperatures, was developed using KCO in DMSO.

Application of Amberlite IRA 402 Resin Adsorption and Laccase Treatment for Acid Blue 113 Removal from Aqueous Media.

Despite Acid Blue 113 (AB 113)'s extensive use and negative environmental impact, very few studies have focused on its efficient and environmentally friendly removal. This research aims the removal of AB 113 from environmental aqueous media and its consequent enzymatic biodegradation. A strongly basic anion exchange resin in Cl form, Amberlite IRA 402 (IRA 402(Cl)) was used for AB 113 adsorption and a laccase was used to further biodegrade it.

Neutron tomography of Van Leeuwenhoek's microscopes.

The technique of neutron tomography has, after 350 years, enabled a first look inside the iconic single-lens microscopes of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. Van Leeuwenhoek's 17th-century discovery of "animalcules" marks the birth of microbiology. His skillfully self-produced microscope lenses remained unsurpassed for over 150 years.

Ion beam analysis (IBA) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for forensic characterisation of authentic Viagra® and of sildenafil-based illegal products.

Illegal trafficking of pharmaceutical products by criminal organisations is a global threat for public health. Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are the most commonly counterfeited medicines in Europe. The search of possible toxic chemical substances in seized products is needed to provide early warning for public health.

Clinical Performance and Future Potential of Magnetic Resonance Thermometry in Hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia treatments in the clinic rely on accurate temperature measurements to guide treatments and evaluate clinical outcome. Currently, magnetic resonance thermometry (MRT) is the only clinical option to non-invasively measure 3D temperature distributions. In this review, we evaluate the status quo and emerging approaches in this evolving technology for replacing conventional dosimetry based on intraluminal or invasively placed probes.

Scalable Route to Electroactive and Light Active Perylene Diimide Dye Polymer Binder for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Developing multifunctional polymeric binders is key to the design of energy storage technologies with value-added features. We report that a multigram-scale synthesis of perylene diimide polymer (PPDI), from a single batch via polymer analogous reaction route, yields high molecular weight polymers with suitable thermal stability and minimized solubility in electrolytes, potentially leading to improved binding affinity toward electrode particles. Further, it develops strategies for designing copolymers with virtually any desired composition via a subsequent grafting, leading to purpose-built binders.

Visualizing the heterogeneous breakdown of a fractal microstructure during compaction by neutron dark-field imaging.

Structural properties of cohesive powders are dominated by their microstructural composition. Powders with a fractal microstructure show particularly interesting properties during compaction where a microstructural transition and a fractal breakdown happen before compaction and force transport. The study of this phenomenon has been challenging due to its long-range effect and the subsequent necessity to characterize these microstructural changes on a macroscopic scale.

Large-sample neutron activation analysis in mass balance and nutritional studies.

Low concentrations of elements in food can be measured with various techniques, mostly in small samples (mg). These techniques provide only reliable data when the element is distributed homogeneously in the material to be analysed either naturally or after a homogenisation procedure. When this is not the case or homogenisation fails, a technique should be applied that is able to measure in samples up to grams and even kilograms and regardless of the distribution of the element.

Trace element measurement for assessment of dog food safety.

The quality of dog diets depends on adequate ingredients capable of providing optimal nutrition and free of contaminants, for promoting long-term health. Trace elements in 95 samples of dry food for dog puppies (n = 32) and adults (n = 63) of various brands were measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The mass fractions of most elements were within the permissible limits for dogs.

Estimation of Mo production rates from natural molybdenum in research reactors.

Molybdenum-99 is one of the most important radionuclides for medical diagnostics. In 2015, the International Atomic Energy Agency organized a round-robin exercise where the participants measured and calculated specific saturation activities achievable for the Mo(n,γ)Mo reaction. This reaction is of interest as a means to locally, and on a small scale, produce Mo from natural molybdenum.

Detection limits should be a thing of the past in gamma-ray spectrometry in general as well as in neutron activation analysis.

In gamma-ray spectrometry with high-resolution detectors, full-energy peaks are often to be detected by a peak-search algorithm, with a threshold for detection. Detection limits can be derived from this. Detection limits are often computed along with measured activities or concentrations.

Vitality assessment of exposed lichens along different altitudes. Influence of weather conditions.

To evaluate the effects of the ambient climatic conditions in lichen vitality along some well oriented transect in different altitudes, lichen transplants of Parmotrema bangii were exposed approximately every 250 m starting from 50 to 1500 m during a 1-year period in 3 transects along Pico mountain at Azores; electric conductivity of leachates, elemental concentrations, and the ambient conditions such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and altitude were the compared parameters. According to the obtained values of electric conductivity, it is credible to consider that vitality was not seriously affected under different altitudes. In accordance with previous studies, electric conductivity values in this study show high negative correlation with precipitation and humidity.

A SHORTCUT FORMULA FOR THE 230-MeV PROTON-INDUCED NEUTRON DOSE EQUIVALENT IN CONCRETE AFTER A METAL SHIELD, DERIVED FROM MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS WITH MCNPX.

Monte Carlo simulations were performed with MCNPX to determine the neutron dose equivalent in thick concrete after a metal shield, a double-layered shielding configuration. In the simulations, a 230-MeV proton beam impinging on a copper target was used to produce the neutrons. For forward angles up to 30° with respect to the proton beam, it is found that the neutron dose equivalent in thick concrete after a metal layer can be expressed in a single formula.

Perfluorooctanoic acid rigidifies a model lipid membrane.

We report a combined dynamic light scattering and neutron spin-echo (NSE) study on vesicles composed of the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine under the influence of varying amounts of perfluorooctanoic acid. We study local lipid bilayer undulations using NSE on time scales up to 200 ns. Similar to the effect evoked by cholesterol, we attribute the observed lipid bilayer stiffening to a condensing effect of the perfluorinated compound on the membrane.

Electronic and vibronic properties of a discotic liquid-crystal and its charge transfer complex.

Discotic liquid crystalline (DLC) charge transfer (CT) complexes combine visible light absorption and rapid charge transfer characteristics, being favorable properties for photovoltaic (PV) applications. We present a detailed study of the electronic and vibrational properties of the prototypic 1:1 mixture of discotic 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakishexyloxytriphenylene (HAT6) and 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone (TNF). It is shown that intermolecular charge transfer occurs in the ground state of the complex: a charge delocalization of about 10(-2) electron from the HAT6 core to TNF is deduced from both Raman and our previous NMR measurements [L.

Photoneutrons from a beryllium reflector: a potential source of problems with Zr-Au flux monitors in standardization based neutron activation analysis.

The assumption that the shape of the epithermal neutron spectrum can be described, in any research reactor, by the 1/ function is a fundamental starting point of the standardization. This assumption may be questioned from a reactor physics viewpoint. The type of moderator, the existence of neutron reflectors, the additional production of (γ, ) neutrons and resonance capture by construction materials may be different for each reactor, with consequences for the shape of the neutron spectrum.

Trendwatcher or trendsetter; 50 years of MTAA.

The development on neutron activation analysis (NAA) into a technique of practical interest effectively started about 60 years ago, when nuclear reactors became available and widely accessible as intense sources of neutrons. During 50 out these 60 years, the series of Modern Trends in Activation Analysis (MTAA) Conferences acted as a true companion and facilitator of this growth. As trendwatcher they signalized the many initiatives that contributed to the development of activation analysis and its applications.